The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-25
A BIG PRICE FOR 4 PITCHER
Brooklyn Secures Caruthers, of the ST.
Louis Browns, by Paying $4,000.
How the Players of the Indianapolis Club Are
Likely To Be Placed Next Season-Notes
About Baseball.

The biggest baseball deal of the year is the
transfer Of Caruthers, the pitcher OF the st.
louis Browns. TO the Brooklyn club. The me-
Zotiations were contaminated several days ago.
The transaction represents the expenditure Of a
larger sum of money than was involved in the
transfer of Kelly to Boston last year. The
Amount paid for the release of Caruthers was
not as large that given to Chicago for Kelly,
but the pitcher receives a larger share of the
cash than the famous 5000 baseball beauty
got. Won der Abe, the owner of the St Louis
Browns, was paid $500 for conserving to part
with his star pitcher; while Caruthers himself
will receive nominal salary of 50 900, the Amer
lean Association limit In addition to which he
will be presented with So, $780, making the total
Of his yearly pay e, 500. A great deal of diplo-
macy was necessary to secure him at even these
terms, for the objections OF his mother to which
the young man gave great deal OF considera-
ton, had to be overcome, and it was only after
much persuasion that she finally consented to
her son making the change. The father and
brother of Caruthers wholesale hardware
dealers in Chicago. and the family has long de-
sired that the famous pitcher should quit base
ball playing to engage in business of more dig
nifty, but he is probably more of q success in his
present pursuit than he would ever be in any
other undertaking. He promises to do better
work next year than ever before.
Since quietus has been put upon the talk about
what Hines would do by his signing contract with
the Indianapolis club, there is some speculation
as to how the players will be placed Until Es-
Textbook was signed it was the understanding
that Hines was wanted for first base. Now the
question is if Hines plays first base, where will
Esterbrook playl Il has not been definitely de-
termined yet just where the two players will be
placed, but it is understood that if Ester
brook shows that he is capable Of doing
inn IA W hA nY,
first, and Hines will play in centre-feld, his old
position, with Shomberg in right, and either
Seery or McGeachy in left Another arrange
ment that ia quite likely to be made for the pur-
pose of giving the club somewhat greater bat
ting strength. Is to place Esterbrook on second,
with Hines first, and Shomberg, McGeachy
and Seery in the field. The suggestion to place
Esterbrook third. and Denny second, is
not regarded with favor, chiefly for the reason
that it would be unsatisfactory to Denny, who
prefers to play l the position where he has
shown he has no equal
Two or three items have recently been going
the rounds of the sporting papers crediting
Healy, of the Indianapolis club, with having
written letter, in which he said he was greatly
dissatisfied with this city and would not play
here next year under any circumstances The
officers of the Indianapolis club believe that
Heay never said anything of the kind A let
Ter has been received by member of the club,
from Healy, in which he states that the pub
iished reports regarding him are wholly I'M
founded, that he is not dissatisfied with Indian
Apols, and has never said that he
F. G. Selee manager of the Omaha Baseball
Club, was in the city yesterday, as the agent of
lhe Boston club. trying to get pitcher Sowders,
who makes Indianapolis his home. In a recent
interview, the manager of the St. Paul club said
that several good offers for Sowders had been
received, among the number being one of S., 900
from Boston. Selee was in consultation with
Sowders all day.
Pfeffer and Clarkson are the only members OF
the Chicago club who have not signed contracts
yet for next year. Both still persist in declar-
ing that they will not play with Arson another
season. and IL they are released, which seems
be doubtful now, there is some hope for
Indianapolis securing Pfeffer.